The Archive
This page contains files and images from our project. Hover mouse on link for preview of image (where available).
- Documents
- Project Proposal [.rtf]
- Early Outline of Ideas for Project [.rtf]
- Early Sketches
- Early Sketch of Damper Actuation
Early Sketch of Damper Actuation [.jpg] - Early Sketch of Duct Layout
Early Sketch of Duct Layout [.jpg] - Early Sketch of Model
Early Sketch of Model [.jpg] - Early Sketch of Software Architecture
Early Sketch of Software Architecture [.jpg] - MATLAB Code
- Final Project Software (The Control System) [.zip]
- Diagrams
- Sensor Circuit Diagram
Sensor Circuit Diagram [.jpg] - Simulink Diagram
Simulink Diagram [.png] - Photos
- Team Photo at Project Demo
Team Photo at Project Demo [.jpg] - The Model from Above
The Model from Above [.jpg] - View of One Room from Top
View of One Room from Top [.jpg] - View of One Room Close up
View of One Room Closeup [.jpg] - View of Floor with Damper, Sensor and Indicator
View of Floor with Damper, Sensor and Indicator [.jpg] - The Model from Below
The Model from Below [.jpg] - The Control System
The Control System [.jpg] - Circuitry on the Protoboard
Circuitry on the Protoboard [.jpg] - View of Basement and Damper Actuators
View of Basement and Damper Actuators [.jpg] - Dampers at End of Ductwork
Dampers at End of Ductwork [.jpg] - Closeup of Damper Actuator
Closeup of Damper Actuator [.jpg] - The Furnace
The Furnace [.jpg] - Closeup of Furnace
Closeup of Furnace [.jpg] - Furnace Circuitry
Furnace Circuitry [.jpg] - The PC/104 Stack
The PC/104 Stack [.jpg] - Closeup of an LED Indicator
Closeup of an LED Indicator [.jpg] - Closeup of a Thermistor Circuit
Closeup of a Thermistor Circuit [.jpg] - View of Control System and Output Graph
View of Control System and Output Graph [.jpg] - Video
- Movie of Damper Moving [.mov]
About Project
The Home HVAC model was designed and built as an experimental test-bed for developing a smart HVAC control system. The model itself uses the design principle of independance of functional requirements to give as much flexability to the model as possibile; this allows for many interesting scenarios and experiements to be run in a controled system before implementing them in an actual home system. The purpose for the control system is to limit the temperature differential within a room and between rooms to make for a consistant and comfortable living enviroment. This is accomplished through the use of mechanical systems, electrical systems, and software. The idea for the project came from a personal dissatisfaction team members have with drafty rooms, hot and cold spots, and unresponsive thermostats in our own homes.
Team Info
- Ned Cameron
- Ned is a senior in the Mechanical Engineering department. He has concentrated in MEMS, Nanotechnology, and Mechatronics while fulfilling the requirements for his degree. After graduation, he will work as Application Service Engineer for Informance International in Northbrook, IL.
- Ted Reynolds
- Ted is a senior in the Mechanical Engineering department. He is a co-op engineer with ITW in Glenview where he plays on the volleyball team. He enjoys sleeping little and cooking lots. Considering he still has another year left, Ted has not given much thought to his future, but wherever he may be, he plans to have the best HVAC system on the block.
- James Snyder
- James is a first year graduate student in Biomedical Engineering. He has recently completed an undergraduate degree in biology at Northwestern University (concentration in Neurobiology), and currently works with the MacIver Lab studying sensorimotor integration in weakly-electric fish.